Pakistan hold nerve in tense finish
Pakistan defended a modest total on a flat and dry pitch in Bulawayo, in a match that simmered softly for 90 overs, before bubbling into life in the last ten. Zimbabwe were kept to well below the required run-rate for majority of their innings, but had wickets in hand for an onslaught at the end. However, Junaid Khan, Pakistan's most expensive bowler, produced a gem of a last over, bowling five low full tosses to win the match for his team.
Despite being well set up by Vusi Sibanda's 73 and anchored by Brendan Taylor's 84, Zimbabwe made heavy weather of their chase. Pakistan's spinners, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, were difficult to get away, while debutant Aizaz Cheema and comeback man Sohail Tanvir also did their bit to keep the run flow in check.
Pakistan
247 for 7 (Younis 78, Misbah 54, Price 2-39) beat Zimbabwe
242 for 7 (Sibanda 73, Taylor 84, Cheema 3-36) by five runs.
Source: Pak vs Zim, 1st ODI